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Falls prevention information for carers
Falls can happen to anyone, but they’re more common and more significant as we get older. They can result in a trip to the hospital or a move into an aged care home.
The likelihood of a fall increases partly because of the natural changes that happen as our bodies age – our muscles get weaker and our joints stiffer.
- The good news
- Risk factors
- Tips for safer caring
- Health problems
- Keep the person you are caring for active
- Footwear
- Where can you find help or advice?
- Fall-proofing your surroundings
- Don't fall for it! Falls can be prevented
- Medical and personal alarms
The good news
- most falls are preventable
- injury from falls can be minimised, and
- ageing does not have to mean a loss of independence.
Risk factors
- Some older people are more likely to fall than others, especially if they’ve fallen in the past six months, but there are many things you can do for the person you care for to reduce their risk of falling.
- Talk to their doctor about any falls they have had. Don’t just dismiss them as clumsiness. Falls can be a sign of a new medical problem, muscle weakness, balance problems or medication side effects. It will help their doctor if you give him or her information about the time of day they fell, what they were doing and how they were feeling just before the fall.
- Talk to a physiotherapist about balance and strengthening exercises or activities that will suit the person you care for, and how to manage any pain they might have.
- A physiotherapist can also advise them about whether a walking aid, such as a stick or frame, would help increase their steadiness and confidence. But please note, it’s important that walking aids are properly adjusted and maintained.
- Remove any slipping or tripping hazards.
- Make sure they have adequate lighting at night.
Tips for safer caring
Carers face many safety issues depending on the needs and conditions of the person they care for. The following general guidelines may help you deal with some of the most common problems.Read more: About tips for safer caring
Health problems
Some health problems make it more likely that the person you care for will fall. The most common of these are:- stroke
- Parkinson’s disease (more information)
- arthritis
- postural hypotension (low blood pressure)
- dizziness
- diabetes
- depression
- dementia (more information)
- incontinence (more information), and
- poor nutrition.
For more information about their medical condition, how they can manage it better and information about support organisations in your area contact:
- Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (more information)
- Health Insite
- Nutrition Australia (more information)
- Diabetes Australia (more information)
- Your local library
- Your local council
- Your local community health centre
- Continence Helpline (more information) 1800 330 066
- Arthritis Australia (more information)
- The Heart Foundation
- Cancer Council Australia
Keep the person you are caring for active
Inactive or unfit people tend to have poorer balance and weaker muscles, which all increase the risk of falling. Added to this, if the person you are caring for feels unsteady they’re less likely to do much walking. When they walk less their muscles get weaker, their joints get stiffer and their balance gets worse.Keeping active contacts:
- Contact the Aged Care Information Line on 1800 500 853 for your free copy of ‘Choose Health: Be Active’ a physical activity guide for older Australians
- Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres to help find physiotherapists or accredited exercise or fitness instructors or activities in your area
- your local library for booklets and videos on physical activity for older people
- your local council for information about activities in your area, and
- community health centres and day therapy centres (more information) for physiotherapy services.
Footwear
As we age, our feet can change shape and lose some feeling. This changes the way we walk and affects our balance. Also, painful or swollen feet can make it difficult to walk and some shoes or slippers can increase the chances of a fall.What can be done to reduce the risk:
- See a podiatrist or doctor if they have painful or swollen feet, tingling or pins and needles in their feet, or if they have any changes in the shape of their feet (for example, bunions).
- Wear comfortable, firm-fitting, flat shoes with a low broad heel and soles that grip.
- Don’t wear poorly fitted slippers or walk in socks.
- If they have difficulty finding suitable shoes because of foot problems, ask their podiatrist for the names of specialist shoe stores.
- Ask their podiatrist or physiotherapist to suggest ways to improve circulation, decrease swelling and reduce pain in the legs and feet.
Where you can find help or advice
- Call 1800 200 422 for information on aged care
- Australasian Podiatry Council which can provide names of podiatrists in your area
- local community health centres and day therapy centres often have podiatrists.
Fall-proofing your surroundings
You can reduce the likelihood of a fall for the person you are caring for and make it easier for them to manage daily activities by making their home and surroundings as safe as possible.Read more: About safety in the home
The Don't fall for it. Falls can be prevented! booklet
This booklet is aimed at community dwelling older people and their families and carers. The booklet contains information about three aspects of falls prevention: fall-proofing yourself, all-proofing your surroundings and what to do in the event of a fall.Medical and personal alarms
Make a plan of what to do in the event of a fall or another emergency with the person you are caring for. Work out:- who to call for help
- how to call them, and
- how that help will get to you.
Common questions on this topic:
- Mum lives alone. She manages well, but I'm worried that she might fall and need help. What can I do?
See all common questions